Revisiting the Question of Jewish Readmission
Revisiting the Question of Jewish Readmission
This chapter reexamines the controversy over readmission of the Jews in light of both the idea that England was Israel and the challenge of radical religion. The tense relation between Jewish messianism, Christian millenarianism, and conservative Protestantism appears in the controversy surrounding the Whitehall Conference Cromwell called in 1655. Controversy centered on the question of Jewish conversion, and disagreement about what Paul meant when he said ‘all Israel’ would be saved. The chapter analyzes writings by Menasseh ben Israel, Henry Jessey, John Dury, Arise Evans, Roger Williams, and Prynne. Presbyterians opposed readmission, believing religious radicalism had already contaminated England with ‘Judaism.’ Support for the Jews came from religious radicals (especially Quakers), who did not identify Israel with the nation. Margaret Fell wrote pamphlets to the Jews, hoping to convert them, yet others like George Fox and Dury expressed sharply anti–Jewish attitudes, showing the limits of toleration.
Keywords: Cromwell, Menasseh ben Israel, Whitehall Conference, Prynne, Quakers, Margaret Fell, George Fox, John Dury, conversion, toleration
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